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NWDP: Bovine Tuberculosis in

Wildlife

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Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic bacterial disease, primarily of cattle, caused by

the microorganism Mycobacterium bovis. The disease can affect other species,

including humans and wildlife. Bovine TB is most often transmitted to humans by

ingesting unpasteurized milk, inhaling aerosolized respiratory tract bacteria, and
inoculation by contaminated instruments (such as knives). 

The disease can be spread from livestock to wildlife or wildlife to livestock via the

fecal-oral route, ingestion of contaminated food, or through respiratory transmission.

The APHIS Bovine TB Eradication Program has reduced TB in U.S. cattle; however,

spillover into wildlife may maintain the microorganism in the environment and

function as a source of re-infection for livestock.

The Guidelines for Surveillance of Bovine Tuberculosis in Wildlife were developed by

APHIS in collaboration with wildlife professionals with expertise in bovine TB. These

recommendations incorporate the most recent scientific literature and are intended

to serve as a starting point for developing and conducting surveillance for bovine TB

in geographic areas where the presence of disease in wildlife is unknown.

Interagency cooperation is strongly encouraged between state wildlife agencies,

other state cooperators, stakeholders, and APHIS Wildlife Services and AHPIS

Veterinary Services to develop an effective area-specific surveillance plan.

Wildlife Species of Concern for Mycobacterium

bovis

Bovine tuberculosis in wildlife was first documented in the United States in whitetailed deer in 1933. They can be infected and can transmit bovine TB via the oral or

respiratory route and are considered reservoirs in some areas. Other wildlife and

feral species in North America in which bovine TB has been detected include:

Elk

Mule deer

Bison

Raccoons

Moose

Coyotes

Opossums

Feral cats

Gray fox
Black bears

Feral swine

Gray wolves

Red fox

Bobcat

NWDP Activities

NWDP assists with bovine TB surveillance in wildlife and with determining potential

management actions to help control disease in wild populations. These projects

often occur in regions of the United States following the detection of bovine TB in

domestic livestock or captive cervids. Short-term surveillance programs are usually

established to evaluate whether bovine TB is present in wildlife on or near infected

premises.

More Information

Guidelines for Surveillance of Bovine Tuberculosis in Wildlife

Instructivo para la Vigilancia de la Tuberculosis Bovina en Vida Silvestre

USDA APHIS National Tuberculosis Eradication Program

Contact Us

National Wildlife Disease Program

The National Wildlife Disease Program works with partners nationwide to conduct

disease monitoring and surveillance in wild animals and is the primary emergency

response contact point within APHIS Wildlife Services. Our program coordinator is

available for questions about wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance, the status

of disease outbreaks and emerging disease events, and wildlife emergency response

activities in natural disasters (floods, hurricanes, wildfires) or oil spills.

Julianna Lenoch

National Wildlife Disease Program Coordinator
Email: julianna.b.lenoch@usda.gov

Phone: 970-266-6350

Sarah Bevins

Assistant National Wildlife Disease Program Coordinator

Email: sarah.n.bevins@usda.gov

All Contacts